re: Samsung and "Stinger" and VoiceStream
<< brand-name handset OEMs for Stinger)
Sagem? Sendo? <g>
<< close two of the top four mobile handset providers >>
Well yes sorta with Samsung moving up but even though Samsung is (for the moment) in slot 4 they aren't in the top 4 GSM wise and Gates is itching to crack into the GSM side.
<<They've got it on Samsung. >>
Now they need one more.
Meantime, as you know, Microsoft poached some pretty good talent from either Psion or Symbian (or both).
Early Samsung "Stinger" announcement here from Microsoft's neighbor VoiceStream:
>> Fastest Growing Companies in the Wireless Industry Team up to Deliver High-Speed Packet Data
November 6, 2000
VoiceStream PR
voicestream.com
Samsung Telecommunications America and VoiceStream Wireless to Develop GPRS Mobile Phones Standardized on the Microsoft Mobile Explorer and "Stinger" Smart Phone Platforms
Samsung Telecommunications America, Inc. (STA) a leading global provider of wireless internet devices and VoiceStream Wireless Corp. (NASDAQ:VSTR) the premier national GSM operator in the United States, today announced an agreement to develop high-speed General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) phones that will incorporate Microsoft Smart Phone Platform (code-named Stinger) and Microsoft Mobile Explorer microbrowser technology. The outcome of the partnership agreement will be a superior wireless experience to the end user and seamless integration with their desktop applications.
The agreement is a multi-year, multi-product commitment to launch various models of Samsung wireless Internet capable handsets using VoiceStream's all digital, national GSM network. The agreement will support VoiceStream's nationwide introduction of high-speed data applications using the GPRS system in 2001. GPRS allows for increased data access speeds in wireless handsets and offers customers the advantage of 'always connected/always on-line' access. Possible applications and benefits to wireless users include faster web browsing and e-mail transmission, in addition to video streaming capabilities.
Initial handsets will incorporate WAP based protocols. Subsequent handsets will migrate to a dual WAP and HTML-based microbrowser based on Microsoft's Mobile Explorer (MME) to accelerate the availability of content and applications to consumers. In addition, Samsung and VoiceStream are working to develop advanced wireless applications and functions based on Microsoft's Stinger platform that will allow consumers to access Outlook information such as calendar and contacts as well as rich multi-media content.
"The partnership between VoiceStream and Samsung and Microsoft will finally bring together the three major elements needed to open up the mobile Internet environment. Samsung will provide compelling devices, VoiceStream will provide the high-speed data network, operations and national distribution and Microsoft will provide seamless integration with desktop applications and the Internet. The end result is a dramatic increase in the quality and amount of content to mobile users," said Bob Stapleton, VoiceStream president and COO.
"Our partnership with VoiceStream marks the beginning of what we feel will be a great relationship," said Peter Skarzynski, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Wireless Terminals, STA. "Samsung is very excited about the opportunities that GSM technology presents here in the U.S. and partnering with an organization with VoiceStream's expertise (in GSM technology) gives us a great deal of momentum."
Although Samsung has been shipping GSM handsets for several years in Europe, this will be the company's first major shipment of GSM handsets in the U.S. Samsung is the largest manufacturer of CDMA handsets shipped in the U.S and according to industry analysts, Dataquest, Inc., Samsung led the top five wireless manufacturers with a 276 percent increase in the total number of phone sales to 17.7 million units worldwide in 1999.
"We're thrilled to see Samsung and Voicestream join forces to offer the most advanced smart and feature phone solutions available and open up the Internet and desktop world to mobile workers and consumers in a richer way," said Ben Waldman, vice president of Microsoft's Mobile Devices Division. "This is validation that our Stinger platform and Mobile Explorer product offer the right solution at the right time."
About GPRS
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a standardized packet-switched data service that is an extension of the GSM architecture. GPRS is what makes the Internet wireless. The benefits of GPRS:
The user can be "always connected, always on-line" to the data network. GPRS provides high-speed data transmission. Initially GPRS handsets will be capable of operating at speeds up to five times faster than on current GSM networks, and speeds will increase up to ten times faster than is currently possible in the coming months as new terminal devices are launched. The network is used far more efficiently than circuit switched networks. It is only used when data is being transmitted, which will reduce the cost of mobile data. GPRS is based on the Internet Protocol (IP). This provides ease of connectivity from mobile data terminals to the Internet and to IP-based Company Intranets.
About Samsung
Samsung Telecommunications America, Inc., a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd., researches, markets and develops wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, see STA's website at www.samsungusa.com. Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd., a $22.8 billion flagship company of the Korean-based Samsung Group, is a world leader in electronics, with operations in more than 46 countries.
About VoiceStream
Based in Bellevue, Wash., VoiceStream Wireless Corp. is one of the major nationwide providers of communication services in the country and operates and uses the globally dominant GSM technology platform. VoiceStream is a member of The GSM Alliance, L.L.C., a consortium of U.S. and Canadian digital wireless PCS carriers, which helps provide seamless wireless communications for its customers in more than 5,500 U.S. and Canadian cities and towns, or abroad. In North America, more than seven million customers are using GSM service in 47 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and six Canadian Provinces, including every top 10 market in North America. VoiceStream has roaming agreements with more than 125 of the major operators worldwide providing service in 70 countries. For more information, visit the web site at voicestream.com. <,
- Eric - |
